I run a School for Contractors called the Contractor Nation School of Entrepreneurship. (thesoe.com) The purpose is to teach the owners to be better thinkers, so they can be better leaders. I think my life has been unfolding for me to do this the entire time. I love it.
As an earnest student myself, I can tell you that in order to grow, we have to escape our current inner dialogue and identity. In order to do that, we have to learn continuously. If we set out reading a book every six months, or go to a seminar or training just once or twice a year, it’s not enough. We slip back into our old selves and patterns of thinking.
Even if we have grown to the next step on the staircase, we can get stuck there. We need to make learning the right relevant things a habit every day – the minimum effective dose.
How do you learn every day?
Each day, I look for one item (topic/person) which I know nothing about, and spend 10-30 minutes researching that item. Often times the daily topic will come out of a discussion on the previous day.
Today’s topic was a person, Larry Janesky. Time well spent.
I love to read, so for me the most common learning method is through reading. I read novels, and various magazine articles through facebook. I had some extra time on my hands these past couple of months and I utilized a childhood learning technique to expand my vocabulary. I started copying the text I read. One day I felt that I had to keep my mind focused so I can concentrate more and reading and copying at the same time did the trick. I do not watch tv but, there are some interesting documentaries that are worth watching and once in a while catch my attention. Once or twice a month I will randomly go to the movie theater or rent a movie from redbox but I prefer my solitary walks in the woods and my sleep over watching a movie or talking to people. I am a good listener and I listen to people as often as I can. My favorite subjects are neuroscience, astronomy, and books.
I listen to podcasts while driving or at the gym. Three of my favourites are: salesman.red, Manager Tools and The One Thing.
Daily reading and listening coupled with notes of things learned. Often times notes are converted into presentations. Then share what has been learned as opportunities arise.
The average CEO reads 60+ books a year in order to stay at the leading edge of self improvement. I personally read 4 to 5 books every month and journal about what is relevant to my life. How can I take the knowledge and apply it my personal and work life.
If you’ve heard of mentorbox… I think a similar thing would be a great way to engage people with specific books that pertain to our network. Larry could recommend a book each month and supply his thoughts and application of its teachings to our network of dealers.
Basement Systems Book club from a mentors (Larry) perspective would be something I would be interested in!
I feel the same way about serving, anything you want to well you need to do often.